Wallace County
countyWallace County is located in western Kansas, bordering Colorado, and is characterized by its high plains landscape. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,512, making it the second-least populous county in Kansas. The county seat and largest city is Sharon Springs. Wallace County offers a glimpse into rural life on the High Plains. Agriculture is a key component of the Wallace County economy, with grain farming being a primary sector. The county also has a historical connection to the railway and the old Fort Wallace, which played a role in westward expansion. The county government provides essential services such as road maintenance, public health, and emergency services. Wallace County is distinctive for being home to Mount Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas, offering views of the surrounding plains. The county was named in honor of Brigadier General W. H. L. Wallace, a Civil War officer. Wallace County operates on Mountain Time, setting it apart from most of Kansas.
Wallace County, Kansas
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 20199
- Country
- United States
- County
- Wallace County
- Region
- Midwestern United States
- Elevation
- 4,039 ft
- Total Area
- 914 sq mi
- Land Area
- 914 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.05 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.7644
- Longitude
- -101.5758
- Climate
- Humid continental climate with cool to cold winters and hot summers
- Notable Features
- Mount Sunflower · Western Vistas Historic Byway · Eroded limestone mesas · Chalk formations
- Neighboring Areas
- Sherman County, KS · Logan County, KS · Wichita County, KS · Greeley County, KS · Kit Carson County, CO · Cheyenne County, CO
- Population (2020)
- 1,512
- Est. Population (2024)
- 1,472
- Median Age
- 47.2
- Median Income
- $63,207
- Poverty Rate
- 12.28%
- Family Households
- 58.9%
- Owner-Occupied
- 74.8%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the county was 89.48% White, 0.85% Black or African American, 0.71% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.56% Asian, 3.18% from some other race, and 5.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.37% of the population.
- Government Type
- Board of County Commissioners
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Body Size
- 3 members
- School District
- USD 241, USD 242
- Municipal Services
- Appraisal · Land records · Finance · Public health · Infrastructure maintenance · Emergency services
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.7%
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture-based
- Employment Sectors
- Agriculture · Government · Education · Small Businesses
- Major Employers
- Grain Farming
- Schools
- 2
- School Districts
- USD 241 Wallace County Schools · USD 242 Weskan Schools
- Transportation
- U.S. Highway 40 · Kansas Pacific Railway (historically)
- Utilities
- Rural water districts
- Major Facilities
- Wallace County Courthouse · Wallace County Recreation Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Mount Sunflower · Fort Wallace Museum · Sharon Springs Swimming Pool · Wallace County Recreation Center
- Parks & Trails
- Sharon Springs Parks · Western Vistas Historic Byway
- Founded
- 1868
- Named After
- Brigadier General W.H.L. Wallace
- Historical Significance
- Served as a military outpost and railway hub during westward expansion
- Key Events
- Establishment of Fort Wallace (1865) · Construction of Kansas Pacific Railway · County formally created (1868)